Legal Separation vs Divorce

Dedicated Family Law Attorneys Assisting Denver Residents

When a marriage breaks down, couples in Colorado can either seek a divorce or they can file for a legal separation. If you are contemplating a legal separation or simply want to know all of your options in regards to ending your marriage, we can help. At Plog & Stein P.C., our experienced Denver legal separation attorneys are well-versed in this area of law and can help you understand your legal rights and options. With over 70 years of combined legal experience, we have helped people resolve their family law issues even in the worst of times and we can help you, too.

Choosing Between Legal Separation and Divorce

People opt for legal separation over a divorce for a number of reasons including religion, finances, inheritance rights, health insurance benefits, social security or even because they simply are not ready for the finality of a divorce. It is a common misconception that a couple is legally separated if they have filed for divorce and are living apart. Instead, in Colorado, legal separation is a unique legal status distinct from divorce for which a couple must file. In other words, once a couple decides they want a legal separation, they must take a series of legal steps and file the appropriate paperwork to obtain a final order known as the “decree of legal separation.”

When couples obtain a “decree of legal separation,” all relevant matters that are addressed in a divorce and related to the marriage are resolved, such as those pertaining to parenting time, spousal maintenance, child support, marital property division and more. If parties cannot easily reach an agreement on these terms, our lawyers will be there for you to assist with settlement efforts, the ultimate goal being a resolution as close to your objectives as possible. However, if parties absolutely cannot agree then these matters will be decided by a judge. If court trial ensues, our attorneys are well prepared and experienced to litigate your divorce issues.

Just as in a divorce, when the parties are legally separated, they are considered to be no longer financially entangled with each other and are free to make independent financial decisions. This does not mean there may not still be ongoing financial ties, such as alimony or child support. However, there are two significant differences between legal separation and divorce in Colorado. First, spouses who are legally separated cannot remarry when they are separated because they are still married in the eyes of the law. In order for either spouse to remarry, they would need to convert their legal separation into a divorce. In addition, unless there is a written agreement (i.e., a prenuptial agreement) saying otherwise, spouses who are legally separated do not lose their inheritance rights.

Once a marital separation is in place, it is much easier to convert it into a legal divorce since all of the issues that are required for the final divorce decree have already been decided. As such, the process for converting the decree of separation into a decree of dissolution only requires the filing of a motion requesting that the decree of legal separation be converted. It is important to note that this can be done no less than six months following the decree of legal separation. The Colorado Court’s process for converting the decree from separation to dissolution is then automatic and has the effect of formally changing the parties’ marital status.

Discuss the Differences Between Legal Separation and Divorce with a Denver Attorney

Couples going through marital problems may have options other than divorce. If you have questions regarding the differences between a legal separation and a divorce, you need to reach out to an attorney in the Denver area who is familiar with this area of law. At Plog & Stein, P.C., we understand that dealing with the breakdown of a marriage is taxing, which is why we are committed to handling your case with a careful attention to detail. Our goal is to help you figure out your next steps in a dignified and stress-free way. We also represent people in Aurora, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, and other cities in Denver, Douglas, and Arapahoe Counties. For further information, do not hesitate to reach us at 303-781-0322 or contact us online.

His passion and ferocity kept me going through this long ordeal.When I first came to Plog & Stein it was simply discuss the renegotiation of child support. Little did I know that within 72 hours I would be retaining Steve Plog for a custody battle. His passion and ferocity kept me going through this long ordeal. I have recommended him to my friends and I would recommend him to anyone with who wants honest and effective representation. Carolyn

★★★★★

I recommend Sarah and the attorneys at Plog & Stein to anyone that has these types of family issues and need strong, knowledgeable representation.I am thankful for the job Sarah McCain did for me in my fight with my ex-wife for visitation rights with my daughter. Sarah and the team at Plog & Stein handled my case in an efficient, affordable, and professional manner. Sarah negotiated a new parenting plan as well as acceptable visiting rights and even a favorable modification in my child support. I recommend Sarah and the attorneys at Plog & Stein to anyone that has these types of family issues and need strong, knowledgeable representation. Tom

★★★★★

At the end of the day he was able to produce a settlement that was fair to both parties.I highly recommend Stephen Plog for anyone in need of a top notch domestic relations attorney. After a 27 year marriage, Stephen represented me in a complicated and sometimes bitter divorce with many unique challenges. At the end of the day he was able to produce a settlement that was fair to both parties but limited my alimony payments to only 3 years. He is smart, cuts to the chase, knows the court system in the Denver metropolitan area and can be trusted to get his clients the best possible settlement. Neal

★★★★★

Their service was outstanding, with prompt responses to all of my questions.Sarah McCain and Plog & Stein were wonderful to me during such a difficult time in my life. Their service was outstanding, with prompt responses to all of my questions and creative ideas throughout the proceedings to help things go smoothly. Sarah's compassion, patience, and expertise were especially invaluable to me. I highly recommend them. Sandy

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We serve clients throughout the State of Colorado including, but not limited to, those in the following localities: Denver County including Denver; Arapahoe County including Aurora, Centennial, Greenwood Village, and Littleton; Broomfield County; Douglas County including Highlands Ranch, Parker, Castle Rock, and Franktown; Jefferson County including Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, and Golden; Adams County including Brighton, Westminster, Northglenn, and Thornton; Boulder County; Elbert County including Elizabeth and Kiowa; El Paso County; Weld County; Larimer County.